Where leaders come to exchange ideas and learn about good government practices, the public policy process, and free enterprise.
The goal of the cohort program is to create exceptional opportunities for adult leaders in Oklahoma to exchange ideas, learn about good governance practices, the public policy process, and increase their vision of growth based on free enterprise. The cohort program is designed so participants can build new and lasting relationships with program members, Oklahoma leaders, and public policy experts.
The program is administered and run by The State Chamber Research Foundation.
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Meet the 2025 Cohort!
| David Adams, Manager of Strategic Development, Webco Industries |
| Brittany Anderson, COO, Alpha Boosters |
| Holly Anderson, Director of Operations and Industry Pathways, OU Online, University of Oklahoma |
| Marche Ashford, Sales Representative, Vision Care Direct |
| Brian Beller, Manager, B&H Construction |
| Jennifer Brittain, Vice President Employee Benefits, Brown & Brown Insurance Services, Inc. |
| Nathan Brubaker, Career Development Coordinator, Oklahoma department of Career and Technology Education |
| Lauren Bush, Director of Government Affairs, Tulsa Regional Chamber |
| Chip Carter, Consultant, Self Employed |
| Mark Chapman, President/ State Representative, Allied Broadcast Group, OK House of Representatives |
| Adrianne Covington Graham, Government Relations Grant Writer/Funding Specialist, Garver |
| Anthony Diulio, Consultant, South Creek Group |
| Brent Driskill, Owner, Riverton Properties |
| Riley Dunham, Legislative Analyst, Oklahoma State Senate |
| Hunter Erwin, Government Relations Manager, Muscogee (Creek) Nation |
| Ragan Franklin, Executive Director, Franklin Media Company |
| Damon Gardenhire, Founder and principal (Linchpin), Executive in Residence (Saxum), Linchpin Resources & Saxum |
| Randy Gardner, President & CEO, Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity |
| Megan Hankins, Field Representative for Congressman Tom Cole, U.S. House of Representatives |
| Kelley Harmon, Account Executive, BevCap Management, LLC |
| JeKia Harrison, Legislative Assistant, Oklahoma House of Representatives |
| Marsha Herron, Director for Student and Organizational Success, Oklahoma State School Boards Association |
| Kenny Howard, Director, Murray County Development Authority |
| Brysn Hunt, Workforce Development Director, Association of Oklahoma General Contractors |
| Kelsey Lee, Chief Operating Officer, Sooner Pharmacy of Davis |
| Kurt Lee, AVP/Treasury Management Officer, First United Bank |
| Erin Liberton, Sr. Advisor, Communications & Public Affairs, Phillips 66 |
| Kimberly Mackall, Sr. Manager, CSAA Insurance Group |
| Jeremy McCann, Human Resource Specialist, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company |
| Erin Morrison, President, Moore Public School Board of Education |
| Monica Paris McFarland, VP Treasury, Sovereign Bank |
| Braden Patton, Communications Manager, Tulsa Regional Chamber |
| Julie Pittman, Corporate Counsel, Saint Francis Health System, Inc. |
| Jason Pitts, Realtor, Leonard Realty |
| S.E. Puett, Sr Dir. Information Strategy, Mobiecom |
| Zach Quintero, Senior Manager State Government Affairs, OG&E |
| Briana Ramos, Founder and Chief Strategist, Self – Small business owner |
| Roberto Seda, Attorney / Manager, Self-Employed |
| Ameil Shadid, SVP-Revenue and Development, The State Chamber |
| Shelly Shoemaker, Talent Systems and Engagement Manager, Webco Industries |
| Ryan Sproul, Community Relations Manager, Oklahoma Natural Gas |
| Joshua Stenros, Manager, Verizon |
| Rick Vernon, Attorney/Owner, Vernon Legal, PLLC |
| Levi Zinkhon, Business Center Manager, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company |
Cohort program participants must first apply and then be accepted into the cohort program. After being selected through an application process and paying the cohort program tuition, participants are admitted into the cohort program. Each cohort program consists of four days of programming. Full participation in each of the four days is mandatory.
Submission Deadline: May 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 12 – 13 and July 17 – 18, 2025
Cost: $300 for all four days
We encourage leaders of any background to apply. In addition, applicants should have an interest in the public policy process, along with a strong desire to build lasting relationships with program members, Oklahoma leaders and public policy experts, and learn about good governance practices and free enterprise.
Because the cohort program is designed to be an engaging small group experience, the number of participants admitted is limited. We receive many applications and admit less than 40 into the program. We have a variety of backgrounds and ages represented in the cohort program. Our participants are all well-respected leaders in their professions and in their communities. We have had former mayors, top business, military, community, and public policy leaders participate in our cohort program.
Each cohort program consists of a different group of participants. Once the four-day cohort program is completed, participants become alumni. Upon successful completion of the cohort program, alumni are given further opportunities to continue to develop as leaders, interact with alumni from other cohorts and help mentor current and future program participants. Alumni are also given opportunities to participate in special events and activities. These opportunities are only available to program alumni.
In general, each cohort program typically includes the following topics:
Committee work and how a bill becomes a law
How the budget process is managed
Working with constituents and stakeholders
The development of Oklahoma’s government and its unique characteristics
Participants explore various aspects of policy topics in Oklahoma including:
Economic Development
Oil and Natural Gas
Oklahoma’s Budget
Corrections
Education
Infrastructure
Best practices
Mistakes and misconceptions
Fundraising
Leadership needed in business and public policy
Vignettes on leadership
Problem solving
What is free enterprise and economic freedom?
Foundational principles of free enterprise
Innovation, risk taking and entrepreneurial opportunities
Regulation and licensing
